Abstract: The invention provides recombinant algal mutants that have a genetic modification to a gene or nucleic acid sequence encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain. The genetic modification of one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain results in a mutant organism with increased lipid productivity and/or higher biomass productivity (as measured by total organic carbon). The genetic modification can be a gene attenuation or functional deletion. The lipid products of these mutants can be utilized as biofuels or for other specialty chemical products. Methods of making and using the recombinant algal mutants and methods of producing lipids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention involves the provision of recombinant algal mutants that have a genetic modification to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme, and/or a genetic modification to a nucleic acid encoding an RNA binding domain And in some embodiments either of these algal mutants can further have a genetic mutation to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an SGI1 polypeptide. Attenuation of one, two, or all three of these genes results in a mutant organism with increased lipid productivity. It was also discovered that one, two, three, or more genetic mutations can be accumulated or “stacked” in a particular mutant cell or organism to result in further increases in the production of lipid products. The lipid products of these mutants are useful as biofuels or for other specialty chemical products.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of transforming photosynthetic organisms, such as green algae. The methods involve methylating one or more DNA fragments of a DNA construct and transforming the one or more fragments into the photosynthetic organism. The DNA fragments can be the product of a DNA amplification procedure, such as PCR or a PCR-like procedure. In one embodiment the one or more fragments of DNA that comprise a DNA construct are dam methylated prior to being transformed into the photosynthetic organism.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant algal organisms that have a genetic modification to a gene or nucleic acid sequence encoding an RNA binding domain. In some embodiments the genetic modification can be a functional deletion or attenuation of the gene. The genetic modification results in a mutant organism with increased lipid productivity and/or higher biomass productivity. The lipid products of these mutants can be utilized as biofuels or to manufacture other specialty products. The recombinant mutants can also, optionally, have a genetic modification to a gene encoding an SGI1 polypeptide. Methods of making and using the recombinant algal mutants and methods of producing lipids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell lines for high efficiency genome editing using cas/CRISPR systems, methods of generating such cells lines and methods of generating mutations in the genome of an organism using such cell lines.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant algal mutants that have a genetic modification to a gene or nucleic acid sequence encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain. The genetic modification of one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain results in a mutant organism with increased lipid productivity and/or higher biomass productivity (as measured by total organic carbon). The genetic modification can be a gene attenuation or functional deletion. The lipid products of these mutants can be utilized as biofuels or for other specialty chemical products. Methods of making and using the recombinant algal mutants and methods of producing lipids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention involves the provision of recombinant algal mutants that have a genetic modification to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme, and/or a genetic modification to a nucleic acid encoding an RNA binding domain. And in some embodiments either of these algal mutants can further have a genetic mutation to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an SGI1 polypeptide. Attenuation of one, two, or all three of these genes results in a mutant organism with increased lipid productivity. It was also discovered that one, two, three, or more genetic mutations can be accumulated or “stacked” in a particular mutant cell or organism to result in further increases in the production of lipid products. The lipid products of these mutants are useful as biofuels or for other specialty chemical products.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorganisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.

Abstract: The present application relates to the identification of novel DNA methyltransferases including CHG methylation in algal species. The present application relates to algal mutants permitting the expression of exogenous genes by alleviating the epigenetic mechanisms of CHG and CHH methylation of exogenous DNA and mono- and tri-methylation of lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9). This is achieved by mutating or attenuating the methyltransferase (MTase) genes in algae. The present application also relates to methods for efficiently expressing exogenous genes in algal species.

Abstract: The invention provides important tools for the use of Chlorophyte organisms, including regulatory sequences useful for the expression of transgenes in such organisms. Also provided are vectors and expression cassettes containing promoters and/or terminators disclosed herein for expression of transgenes in Chlorophyte organisms. Methods of using these tools are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell lines for high efficiency genome editing using cas/CRISPR systems, methods of generating such cells lines, and methods of generating mutations in the genome of an organism using such cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the culture and manipulation of microorganisms for biotech applications, and is based on the discovery and characterization of spliced leader sequences identified in transcripts from Nannochloropsis species. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid compositions comprising a SL sequence operably linked to a protein-encoding gene. Further provided are compositions and methods for enhanced gene expression in recombinant microorganisms as well as methods for identification and/or isolation of nucleic acid molecules tagged with a spliced leader sequence.